Doctor in the Casa?

Family Travel Forum provides a resource for health-related travel issues

Becoming ill in a foreign country is one of the biggest fears faced by international travelers with children. Different cuisine, climate, altitude and other environmental factors such as air and water pollution can affect travelers’ health in ways that may be impossible to communicate.

If you want to know more about local health risks and protective immunization before departure, and where to go if and when a medical problem arises, you can become a member of IAMAT, the International Association For Medical Assistance To Travelers.

IAMAT is a non-profit organization, founded in 1960 by Toronto physician Vincenzo Marcolongo. IAMAT’s first goal is to provide medical care to international travelers around the world by English-speaking doctors who have had their medical training in Europe or in North America, and who are familiar with Western medicine.

There is no charge for membership but a donation is requested to support their important work. IAMAT membership provides families with a:

• World directory with addresses and telephone numbers of health centers and participating physicians (including pediatricians) in 90 countries.
• World immunization chart for all countries recommends inoculations against cholera, plague, rabies, diphtheria and other local diseases where appropriate.
• World malaria risk chart and protection guide notes risk locations and precautions for travelers to these areas.
• World climate chart reports on climate and local sanitary conditions affecting water, milk and food.

To make a donation and enroll, contact IAMAT (716/754 4883).